Growth with art.
Building Wellbeing into Life and Work: Insights from Louise Francis
On this week’s Brave New Girls Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Louise Francis, co-founder of the award-winning public art consultancy FrancisKnight. Louise and her business partner Laura Knight are trailblazers in their field, embedding creativity into public spaces to connect communities and celebrate the environment. But what’s equally inspiring is how Louise integrates wellbeing strategies into both her personal life and her business practices, ensuring balance, resilience, and sustainability in everything she does.
Prioritizing Wellbeing in Personal Life
For Louise, maintaining a sense of personal wellbeing is non-negotiable. She candidly shared how the pressures of work once left her feeling overwhelmed, but it was through trial, error, and self-reflection that she found sustainable strategies to manage her mental and physical health and she has taken that new approach into running her business.
A significant part of Louise’s approach is her daily yoga practice, which she took up later in life but now considers essential. Living near the Kent coast, she also finds rejuvenation in nature, whether by walking along the water, paddleboarding, or even cold-water swimming with local groups. These activities not only help her stay active but also connect her with her community, a cornerstone of her wellbeing philosophy.
Louise also emphasizes mindfulness and meditation. During a tough personal year, which included the loss of her father, she leaned on grounding practices to find peace amidst grief. Her ability to focus on small, restorative moments serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of carving out space for self-care, no matter what life throws our way.
Embedding Wellbeing into Business Practices
FrancisKnight’s ethos reflects Louise’s commitment to wellbeing, extending it beyond her personal life into the heart of their consultancy. Louise and Laura have cultivated a work culture that values balance, creativity, and sustainability. Their business principles reflect this:
Empowering Artists: They advocate for fair pay and meaningful opportunities for artists, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
Encouraging Flexibility: As a small business, Louise and Laura have the freedom to build schedules that work for them, reducing stress and burnout.
Focusing on Eco-Friendly Practices: From using sustainable materials to supporting local suppliers, they integrate environmental mindfulness into their projects.
Collaborative Connection: Louise prioritizes teamwork, not only within her immediate circle but also with broader project teams, such as landscape architects, to foster mutual respect and shared vision.
These strategies have helped Louise and Laura build a business that thrives on collaboration, respect, and long-term sustainability, proving that wellbeing isn’t just a personal goal but a professional advantage.
Learning from Louise’s Approach
Louise’s wellbeing strategies offer a powerful blueprint for anyone looking to strike a healthier balance in their personal and professional lives. Whether you’re managing a business or simply navigating the daily demands of life, her emphasis on mindfulness, collaboration, and self-care is a reminder that sustainable success starts with taking care of yourself.
Noticing and appreciating art in our public spaces is one way to calm our bodies and minds when we are out and about in the world.
Do you want to join our next Brave New Girls Wellbeing Growth Retreat? Find out more.
Talk to Lou Hamilton- Your Wellbeing Coach
Ten Actionable Steps for Building Wellbeing
Adopt a Mindful Practice: Start each day with yoga, meditation, or breathwork to center yourself.
Spend Time in Nature: Reconnect with the environment through daily walks or outdoor activities.
Foster Community: Join local groups to build connections and combat isolation.
Create a Work-Life Balance: Set clear boundaries to protect your downtime.
Practice Gratitude: Reflect on what you’re thankful for to cultivate positivity.
Incorporate Sustainable Choices: Opt for eco-friendly materials and support local businesses.
Communicate Openly: Build honest and respectful relationships in your workplace and community.
Learn to Delegate: Share responsibilities to avoid burnout and foster trust in your team.
Prioritize Fairness: Ensure everyone involved in your projects is valued and compensated fairly.
Keep Growing: Continuously evaluate and adapt your strategies to meet new challenges.
Louise Francis’s approach to wellbeing blends mindfulness, nature, and sustainable practices in both her personal life and FrancisKnight’s business ethos.
If you have worries around life’s juggles & health challenges, and want to grow a healthier, happier life, work with your Wellbeing Coach Lou Hamilton who will guide you through the steps you need to take, to get to where you want to be- living well on a well planet.
See which bespoke coaching programme works for you & we can tailor them further to your growth needs.
